Dugu Bo turned around and nodded at Ignaz with satisfaction.
"That Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng is a treasured heirloom of our Min Clan. For a proud Poison Douluo to try to strong-arm a deal like this, isn't he afraid of becoming the laughingstock of the world?"
At that moment, Bai He, overwhelmed with pressure, lay flat on the ground and roared in anger. He never imagined that this gathering of the Four Clans of the Heavenly Dou Empire would see Dugu Bo himself showing up, and that the Poison Douluo's intentions were so clear: he had come for the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng in Bai He's hands.
He couldn't accept it. He absolutely could not.
"Old Rhino, Old Goat, are you really teaming up with Dugu Bo to bully your old brother? We've shared over fifty years of friendship!"
Now, all Bai He hoped for was that Yang Wudi and Niu Gao would remember the bonds of the past and either reason with Dugu Bo or directly take action to retrieve the precious Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng for him.
But Yang Wudi and Niu Gao, standing beside Ignaz, took no such action. They looked at the volatile Bai He with disdain.
"Old White Bird, since you've chosen the Tang family, there's nothing left for us to discuss. Brother Du could easily kill you to take the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, yet he didn't. Isn't your Min Clan short on funds? This hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins would cover five years of your clan's expenses."
"Old White Bird, I'm powerless here. Clear Sky Sect, the Tang family—these are my enemies. Since you've chosen them, there's no common ground between us."
Although Niu Gao felt some sympathy for Bai He and Titan's current plight, recalling how they had previously sided with the Tang family reignited his anger.
The single-attribute Four Clans had been abandoned by Clear Sky Sect. The Strength and Speed Clans, for their own reasons, hadn't suffered much damage. Yet now, they expected Niu Gao and Yang Wudi to join the Tang Sect. Why? Was it out of selfish loyalty to the Tang family, or truly for the benefit of the single-attribute Four Clans?
"Iggy, clan leaders, let's go."
At his words, Ignaz and Dugu Bo left the main hall, followed closely by Yang Wudi and Niu Gao.
Once Dugu Bo had gone, the oppressive soul pressure weighing down Bai He and the others finally dissipated. Bai He stood up, furious, ready to chase after the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng at his unmatched speed. But Titan placed his left hand on Bai He's shoulder and said,
"Old White Bird, even if you catch up, you can't take the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng from a Title Douluo, and you could even lose your life to Dugu Bo. Forget about trying to retrieve it."
"We can only remember this grudge. Once Haor and Xiao San return to take charge, we'll have the means for revenge. When Xiao San becomes a Title Douluo, Ignaz, Dugu Bo, and even the obstinate Old Goat will all have to pay."
"Good, a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years. Dugu Bo, just you wait."
Bai He glared furiously in the direction Dugu Bo had gone, clenching his fists tightly.
Meanwhile, in the carriage leaving Hummingbird City, Ignaz and the others sat in silence, the atmosphere almost awkward—until Ignaz finally spoke.
"Senior Niu, after this incident, the single-attribute Four Clans will cease to exist. The Yu and Po clans will finally break free from the shadow of Clear Sky Sect and become a new, independent force."
Ignaz casually took out a few Xuan Water Pills and handed them to Niu Gao.
"These were developed by Senior Yang Wudi. They enhance a soul master's power—probably the best pills we've ever had. After the Yu Clan joins our alliance, there'll be plenty to go around."
"Thanks, Iggy."
Niu Gao accepted the pills but remained lost in thought, leaving the others feeling awkward.
"Old Rhino, don't feel conflicted. Our families have been through similar hardships. And honestly, the younger generation of the Po Clan now rivals the prodigies of top sects," Yang Wudi said, smiling.
"We already have three clan members at the Millennium Second Ring."
"What?"
Hearing this, Niu Gao couldn't sit still. He hesitated to speak, wary of the unpredictable Dugu Bo beside him. But the news hit him like a thunderclap.
"Millennium Second Ring?"
"Exactly, and let me explain…"
Yang Wudi then detailed what the Millennium Second Ring meant. Ignaz, sitting nearby, finally relaxed a bit. Recruiting the Yu Clan turned out to be much easier than expected, giving Yang Wudi a chance to ease Niu Gao's hidden doubts and help him fully resolve them.
"Kid, if I consume this Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, could my soul power really break through again?"
Ever since encountering Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi, he had gradually learned about various rare herbs. The Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng could purify the dragon bloodline in his martial soul. But considering how, in just six years, his soul power had jumped from level 92 to 96—a four-level leap—this seemed almost unbelievable.
This wasn't a sect-level soul master leveling up—it was a Title Douluo, one of fewer than thirty-five known in the entire continent, with Super Douluos being even rarer. Leveling up was incredibly difficult, requiring both opportunity and innate comprehension. Yet he had leapt four levels in six years.
Dugu Bo looked at the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng in front of him, hardly daring to believe it could still increase his soul power.
"More or less. Even if your soul power doesn't rise after consuming it, it will greatly aid your push toward level 97."
Ignaz didn't offer a detailed explanation, unsure whether the ginseng could truly boost Dugu Bo's soul power—but one thing was certain: the Poison Dragon Martial Soul would definitely strengthen under the ginseng's stimulation.
Dugu Bo looked at the ginseng in the box, still a little reluctant, and said,
"Kid, your martial soul has changed a lot—it's now similar to a senior elder's weaponized martial soul in the Martial Soul Hall. It can beast-transform, and your Spear Martial Soul becomes a true dragon when transformed. This Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng will help you even more."
"No, this is yours, Grandpa. Only if you grow stronger can I truly develop. The continent's situation is quietly shifting. If we don't build our strength now, how will we face the dangers ahead?"
Ignaz refused Dugu Bo's generosity. He only wanted Dugu Bo to consume the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, so that if Dugu Bo's soul power really reached level 97…